ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Cancer and its conventional treatments may bring about some psychological and health-related symptoms leading to unstable cortisol level. Since evidence has shown that mindfulness based approaches can be helpful to reduce cortisol level, we aimed at investigating the efficacy of   mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on decreasing salivary cortisol level in the women with breast cancer. 
             Methods: in this one- group pretest posttest study, the women with early stage breast cancer were assessed to select eligible ones (N = 15). They were first trained for collecting salivary cortisol sample (before, after and follow-up)   and then were asked to participate in MBCT, an eight-week session approach.  Participants provided salivary samples in the morning (7: 30- 8:30), afternoon (1-3) and night (9-11).  To measure cortisol, Cortisol Enzyme Immunoassay Kit was used. Analysis was performed on the data of 12 participants remained, using repeated measurement.
              Results: the results of repeated measure ANOVA revealed that cortisol level of posttest (after 8-weeks of MBCT and follow-up period) in comparison with pretest was significantly reduced for morning and afternoon cortisol while it was not true for night cortisol.  The post-treatment cortisol was not significantly correlated with age groups, education levels and socio-economic status using repeated measure ANCOVA.   
             Conclusion: Given that the women with breast cancer are at the high risk of psychological distresses and unstable cortisol level, we recommend mindfulness-based approaches esp. MBCT to health providers specifically those working with breast cancer patients.
             Keywords: Mindfulness, MBCT, Cortisol , Salivary Cortisol, Breast cancer.

ABSTRACT
              Background and Objectives: Recently, the incidence of breast cancer has increased drastically worldwide. Therefore, the identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers is essential for improving treatment outcomes and prognosis. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are routinely available in breast cancer specimens. Semi-quantitative assessment of ER and PR is important for prognosis. Even with the development of genomic tests, hormone receptor status remains the most significant predictive and prognostic biomarker. Selenium is known to protect mammary epithelial cells against oxidative DNA damage and early carcinogenetic events. Since overexpression of ER and PR is common in breast cancers, we aimed to evaluate association of tissue selenium level and ER and PR expression in breast cancer.
              Methods: Sixty tissue samples (30 tumors and 30 tumor margins) were collected from patients with breast cancer. Selenium level was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and ER/PR expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.
              Results: About 60% of the samples were positive for ER/PR expression. Mean level of tissue selenium was 209.54 µg/L in tumors and 185.04 µg/L in tumor margins that were ER/PR positive. In addition, mean selenium level was 243.39 µg/L and 168.06 µg/L in ER/PR-negative tumors and tumor margins, respectively. There was no significant association between selenium level and ER/PR expression (P>0.05).
              Conclusion: There is no association between tissue Se level and ER/PR expression in breast cancer.
              Keywords: Selenium, Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), breast cancer.